Peter Mennin(1923-83)-a Great American Symphonic Composer

[Cato]

That's our Cato, rising nobly on the stepping-stones of his dead [earlier] self . . . .

In fact I listened several times to the Ninth Symphony especially, and after that experience I wrote the following at another topic (What Are You Listening To?):

"I know that Schoenberg said David Diamond could become the American Bruckner, but Mennin makes a case here that the title might belong to him!"

[vandermolen]

My opinion of this composer is changing (for the better). I am really enjoying the Naxos CD below and increasingly agree that Mennin's Third Symphony holds its own amongst the great American thirds (Copland, Diamond, Schuman, Harris).
[asin]B0085AXTFK[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

My opinion of this composer is changing (for the better). I am really enjoying the Naxos CD below and increasingly agree that Mennin's Third Symphony holds its own amongst the great American thirds (Copland, Diamond, Schuman, Harris).
[asin]B0085AXTFK[/asin]

And I find the Concertato « Moby-Dick » and the Variations Symphony (№ 7) even stronger, Jeffrey, and pieces worthy of duplication, so I shall probably fetch in this Naxos release before long

[Mirror Image]

My opinion of this composer is changing (for the better). I am really enjoying the Naxos CD below and increasingly agree that Mennin's Third Symphony holds its own amongst the great American thirds (Copland, Diamond, Schuman, Harris).
[asin]B0085AXTFK[/asin]

Just bought this recording, thanks for the reminder, Jeffrey. Audio samples sounded nice. I need more Mennin in my collection.

[vandermolen]

And I find the Concertato « Moby-Dick » and the Variations Symphony (№ 7) even stronger, Jeffrey, and pieces worthy of duplication, so I shall probably fetch in this Naxos release before long

I agree with you Karl about Moby Dick. Am finding Symphony 7 a harder nut to crack but will persevere. I love Symphony 3 however.

[springrite]

I agree with you Karl about Moby Dick. Am finding Symphony 7 a harder nut to crack but will persevere. I love Symphony 3 however.

As usual, the harder nut is the better nut!

[vandermolen]

As usual, the harder nut is the better nut!

Good point!

[Mirror Image]

I agree with you Karl about Moby Dick. Am finding Symphony 7 a harder nut to crack but will persevere. I love Symphony 3 however.

I listened to a little of Symphony No. 7 on YT just to see if the musical language would hard for me to follow and it's not. It sounds like a great work and I can't wait to hear Schwarz's performance. By the way, the 7th can't be any tougher to crack than Hartmann's 8th or Schuman's 9th!

[springrite]

I listened to a little of Symphony No. 7 on YT just to see if the musical language would hard for me to follow and it's not. It sounds like a great work and I can't wait to hear Schwarz's performance. By the way, the 7th can't be any tougher to crack than Hartmann's 8th or Schuman's 9th!

While some nuts are hard because of the shell, others are hard all the way through to the core.

[snyprrr]

My opinion of this composer is changing (for the better). I am really enjoying the Naxos CD below and increasingly agree that Mennin's Third Symphony holds its own amongst the great American thirds (Copland, Diamond, Schuman, Harris).
[asin]B0085AXTFK[/asin]

That's the old Delos recording, no? 3 & 7 are also on the CRI disc with the Piano Concerto (Ogde(o)n). The 'Variations Symphony' (7) I thought quite exceptional. The whole album is pretty dark and powerful. You should probably FORGO THE NAXOS and get the CRI for the PC. 'Moby Dick' is on the Albany disc with 5 & 6.

Otherwise, who wouldn't want both Naxos and CRI to compare?

I'll have to see if 8 & 9 are on YT. I recall them being even more meaty than 7,... uh, meaning I couldn't handle them at the time. He's soooooo serious.

5 & 6 I found perfectly constructed, but I seem to recall thinking they were TOO perfect or something... no danger? I DON'T REMEMBER. (whoops) Mennin has always been a bit up tight for me (but I like Sessions?... maybe Mennin is like 'hard rock' whereas Sessions is 'heavy metal'?).

Something missing?



You know, Mennin LOOKS like the up tight 'in the closet' type (looking like a matinee idol, anyone?). Anyone know the particulars?

[vandermolen]

Obituary of Peter Mennin:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19830618&id=c7QqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=12EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3503,919349

[Mirror Image]

While some nuts are hard because of the shell, others are hard all the way through to the core.

This is true. I have found Hartmann's 8th and Schuman's 9th to be absolutely ruthless works, but I've enjoyed both of them each time I listen to them. I just don't make a habit of listening to them very often.

[vandermolen]

Have been greatly enjoying Mitropolous's recording of Mennin's Third Symphony. there are real echoes of Mitropolous's fine old recording of Vaughan Williams's Symphony No 4, which clearly influenced Mennin.

[Ken B]

Have been greatly enjoying Mitropolous's recording of Mennin's Third Symphony. there are real echoes of Mitropolous's fine old recording of Vaughan Williams's Symphony No 4, which clearly influenced Mennin.

My listening for the past half hour. Very fine. I like the music, more than 5, and the performance is crisp crisp crisp.

[Karl Henning]

Coolness!

[Ken B]

Coolness!

Muscular unsentimental sophisticated neo-classical goodness. Piston is the closest I can think of.

What is it about #3? All American composers should have written several symphony number threes.

[cilgwyn]

Let's see now,composer thirds? How do they measure up?

Copland
Harris
Schuman
Mennin
Diamond
Hanson
Piston
Creston

Versus:

Vaughan Williams
Bax
Tippett
Brian
Rubbra
Bate
Arnold
Arnell

(Elgar 3 doesn't really count,I suppose?!)

Which leaves three of our most performed and celebrated efforts out in the cold:

Elgar
Walton


And then there's the Moeran!


I find most,if not all of the US examples I have cited very impressive or,at least a satisfying listen. And I certainly listen to some of them more than others!!
Of the British examples,I only really feel moved by about four of them. (I haven't heard the Arnell,so I can't really comment on that one!)
Judging by that small sample,US thirds do seem to have the edge! (Not that I don't like our British thirds,of course!!)

Of course there are many others. From our side of the Atlantic,Fricker's third is a bit of a knockout!

[Mirror Image]

Muscular unsentimental sophisticated neo-classical goodness. Piston is the closest I can think of.

What is it about #3? All American composers should have written several symphony number threes.

If we want to get extremely technical, Schuman's 3rd by his own standards is his first symphony since his Symphonies 1 & 2 were withdrawn from performance.

[cilgwyn]

That's my post screwed!

Thanks for pointing this technicality out,MI!!!

[Mirror Image]

That's my post screwed!

Thanks for pointing this technicality out,MI!!!